The Independent future …

Momentous, transformative, unprecedented – just a few words being bandied about this evening.And just a bit scary too.

It is going to be a real step-change – not just for independents, Greens and Lib Dems, but for senior and junior officers at EDDC too.

For many years senior officers and Cabinet have been in cosy (some might say too cosy) relationships with just a few favoured councillors – all-seeing the world pretty much the same way.Cabinet closed off to backbench councillors, senior officers closed off to junior officers and ‘other ranks’.

Well, that world has changed.

Will the ‘Sir Humphreys’ be able to change, or will they resist change and attempt to grind down the ‘Jim Hackers’?

Officers are supposed to be neutral – giving advice where wanted and needed, but allowing the ship to be steered by the captain of the day to destinations of their choice.

Owl hopes that officers and now new ruling-group councillors can work together to make EDDC the council people have voted for it to be – independent, transparent, accountable to the voters who expect nothing less.